How much hit and run compensation you can claim is based on how you were injured, the impact on your daily life, and the financial losses it caused. Compensation can take physical and psychological injuries into account, any reduction in your ability to participate in hobbies or other activities (loss of amenity), and the financial impact, such as losing income or the cost of medical care. If you have been injured in a road traffic accident where a driver failed to stop, you could be eligible to make a hit and run compensation claim.
Key Points
- Under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, road users must stop at the scene of an accident causing vehicle damage or injury. The failure to do so may be considered a hit and run accident.
- Hit and run claims may be made to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) in cases where the driver cannot be traced or is uninsured. This organisation compensates people in these circumstances.
- MIB numbers show that 26,000 people are affected by hit and run accidents annually in the UK.
- Their figures also show 1 person is killed each week by an uninsured driver.
- One of our solicitors could help you to make a hit and run claim on a No Win No Fee basis.
An advisor could explain how to claim with one of our specialist solicitors. To discuss your case please,
- Phone 0800 073 8801.
- Message an advisor live.
- Start your claim online here.
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Jump To A Section
- What Is Hit And Run Compensation?
- How Much Hit And Run Compensation Can I Claim?
- What Other Damages Can I Claim After A Hit And Run?
- Who Can Make A Hit And Run Compensation Claim?
- Who Pays Compensation After A Hit And Run?
- What To Do After A Hit And Run Accident
- How To Prove A Hit And Run Claim
- Common Injuries In Hit And Run Accidents
- What If The Driver Is Never Found?
- Can I Make A No Win No Fee Hit And Run Claim?
- Learn More
What Is Hit And Run Compensation?
Hit and run compensation is financial redress awarded to victims of road accidents where the driver at fault failed to stop, it can include damages for personal injury and financial losses, and may be claimed through the MIB.
Hit and run claims ensure that those harmed still have a route to seek compensation. You can read more about the MIB in a later section and find out more about what hit and run compensation is by talking to one of our expert advisors.
How Much Hit And Run Compensation Can I Claim?
How much hit and run compensation you can claim depends on your injuries, their impact on your daily life, and the financial losses they caused. There are two potential heads of loss which you could be compensated for.
- The first is general damages which compensate for physical and/or psychological injuries.
- The second is special damages which compensate for financial losses and are discussed in the subsequent section.
When estimating the compensation value of your injuries, solicitors and the courts may turn to guidelines published by the Judicial College (JCG). These guidelines cover both physical and psychological injuries which may be sustained in road traffic accidents. They may be used by courts and solicitors when valuing injuries sustained.
We have used figures from the JCG (and other sources) when creating this table.
| Injury and severity | Notes | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple injuries and special damages, e.g. lost income, medical bills, and care costs. | Most severe forms of injury. | Up to £1,000,000+ if awarded special damages. |
| Paralysis, tetraplegia (a). | Higher awards may be made where there is physical pain and significant effect on the ability to communicate or senses. | £396,140 to £493,000. |
| Severe neck injury (a) (1). | The injury may be associated with incomplete paraplegia. | Around £181,020. |
| Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), moderately severe (b) | With professional help, this person has a better prognosis for some recovery. | £28,250 to £73,050. |
| Less severe brain injury (d). | Not all functions may be restored, problems with memory and concentration may persist. | £18,700 to £52,550. |
| Moderate back injury (b) (1). | There may be some residual disability, injuries can include compression or crush fractures. | £33,880 to £47,320. |
| Serious shoulder injury (b). | A dislocated shoulder and the brachial plexus injuries. | £15,580 to £23,430. |
| Relatively simple chest injury (d). | This may include a single penetrating wound which does cause some permanent damage. | £15,370 to £21,920. |
| Whiplash injury - tariff B. | Whiplash lasting 18 - 24 months + minor psychological injury. | £4,345.00 |
| Whiplash injury - tariff A. | Whiplash lasting 18 - 24 months. No psychological injury. | £4,215.00 |
Disclaimer.
- Figures in our table are not a guarantee of how much compensation you will be awarded.
- The figure in the top row is an illustrative example and does not come from the JCG.
- Figures for whiplash injuries are taken from the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 fixed tariff. This governs compensation awarded for whiplash injury claims where they are valued at £5,000 or less and affect a driver or passenger over the age of 18. You can read more about whiplash claims here.
Find out more about how injuries sustained in a hit and run accident may be valued by talking to one of our advisors.
What Other Damages Can I Claim After A Hit And Run?
Other damages you can claim for after a hit and run can include lost income, medical expenses, and the cost of attending hospital or other appointments. Special damages can compensate for financial losses directly related to your injury. These can include,
- Medical bills.
- Care costs.
- Adaptations to a vehicle or property.
- Lost income, including past and future lost wages and other workplace benefits.
- The cost of travelling to a medical or legal appointment.
- Additional out-of-pocket expenses.
You must provide evidence, such as invoices, receipts, or pay slips, proving any loss you claim. One of our personal injury solicitors could provide a tailored estimate of what damages you could claim.
Who Can Make A Hit And Run Compensation Claim?
Drivers, passengers, and other road users can make a hit and run compensation claim if injured by a driver who failed to stop at the scene of an accident. To make a hit and run accident claim you must meet these eligibility criteria,
- You were owed a duty of care. All road users owe one another this duty. To fulfil it, they must adhere to the Highway Code and Road Traffic Accident Act 1988.
- A road user breached their duty towards you.
- You were physically and/or psychologically harmed.
Can I Claim For Psychological Injuries After A Hit And Run?
Yes, you can claim for psychological injuries, such as PTSD, after a hit and run accident. Under general damages, you may be compensated for psychological harm. This is in addition to physical injuries or if you only suffered a psychological injury, you can claim for this and any related expenses. The JCG sets out guideline figures for PTSD, one of which is included in our table above.
Can I Claim For A Hit And Run On Behalf Of A Loved One?
Yes, you can claim for injuries sustained in a hit and run accident on behalf of a child or person with reduced mental capacity as they are legally unable to do so on their own behalf. This is because those parties are unable to take legal action themselves due either to age or mental capacity. To claim on behalf of a family member, you must apply to be appointed as their litigation friend.
An advisor can help you understand when you could make a hit and run compensation claim on behalf of yourself, or a loved one.
4.8 (948 reviews)Who Pays Compensation After A Hit And Run?
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) pays compensation after a hit and run accident if the at-fault driver is untraced or uninsured. Standard road traffic accident claims, where the at-fault driver is known and insured, are made against the driver that hit you. In this case their insurance provider would pay compensation.
However, hit and run drivers may not be traceable. In this event, the claim is made via the MIB. This organisation compensates victims under either the Uninsured Drivers Agreement or Untraced Drivers Agreement.
If you choose to work with one of our road traffic accident solicitors, they can assist you in pursuing a claim via the MIB.
What To Do After A Hit And Run Accident
After a hit and run accident, you should report it to the police, seek medical care and gather evidence. It is mandatory that any road accident involving injuries be reported to the police. This is also mandatory for MIB claims.
After a hit and run accident you should,
- Report the collision to the police.
- Seek medical care.
- Gather evidence (discussed in the next section).
Finally, you can contact a solicitor experienced in hit and run accident claims. Our solicitors understand how distressing hit and run accidents can be, they could help you access services, such as physiotherapy or counselling.
How To Prove A Hit And Run Claim^^
You can prove a hit and run claim using police reports, your medical records, and video or photographs. To claim compensation you must provide evidence demonstrating what accident occurred, how you sustained injuries, and why the hit and run driver was at fault. This can include;
- Copies of the police report.
- Medical records.
- Dashcam, CCTV, or other footage and photographs.
- Witness contact information. A statement may later be taken by a legal professional.
Hit And Run Compensation Claims Time Limits
The hit and run compensation claim time limit for adults is generally 3 years from the date of the accident. However, this time limit can differ in the case of children or those without the mental capacity to manage a claim.
The time limit for a claim involving a minor does not start until they turn 18, then runs for 3 years. Where the person lacks sufficient mental capacity to make a claim themselves, the time limit is suspended indefinitely. However, a litigation friend can start the claim at any point during the pause or suspension.
The time limit is set by the Limitation Act 1980. You can find out more about it in our dedicated guide to the limitation period.
Common Injuries In Hit And Run Accidents
Common injuries in hit and run accidents can include broken bones, head and brain injuries, as well as whiplash and other soft tissue injuries. Injuries may include,
- PTSD or anxiety after a car accident.
- Fractured and broken bones.
- Head, brain, or facial injuries.
- Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash.
- Back injuries.
What injuries are sustained and how severe they are may depend on whether you were a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, or vehicle occupant. Please speak to our team if you sustained these or other injuries in a road accident.
What If The Driver Is Never Found?
If the driver is never found, you can make a claim via the MIB through the Untraced Drivers Agreement. This enables claims to be made regardless of whether the driver is identified or found. A solicitor could help you to pursue a claim for hit and run compensation on this basis.
Can I Make A No Win No Fee Hit And Run Claim?
Yes, you could make a hit and run claim on a No Win No Fee basis. You could do so with one of our road traffic accident solicitors who offer a type of No Win No Fee contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) to provide their services.
Under the terms of a CFA, you would not pay any solicitors’ fees in advance, during the personal injury claims process, or if it is unsuccessful. If the claim is successful, your solicitor will take what is known as a success fee out of the compensation before sending it to you. There is a legal cap on the percentage that can be taken as this fee.
Further benefits of choosing one of our solicitors include,
- Access to decades of legal experience and expertise.
- Help accessing services such as counselling and physiotherapy.
- Organising an independent assessment of your injuries.
- Help gathering evidence.
- An expert to negotiate your claim and help ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve.
These are some of the ways in which one of our personal injury lawyers could help you seek compensation.
Contact Our No Win No Fee Solicitors
Contact an advisor for an assessment of your claim and to be connected to one of our No Win No Fee solicitors.
- Call 0800 073 8801.
- Talk to us online in our pop-up chat.
- Start your claim here.
Learn More
Learn more about what to do after a road traffic accident here.
- See how to claim for a reversing injury here.
- Learn more about your legal rights here.
- Check how to claim if hit at a junction here.
References.
- Use this government guide to learn how to request CCTV footage of yourself.
- Find the latest road safety statistics here.
- See NHS first aid information here.
Please contact us for any further help with hit and run compensation claims.
